New Store Opening - Radleys

 

LATEST NEW STORE OPENING UNDERLINES FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

FOR CITY'S TOP SHOPPING DESTINATION

Luxury accessories brand, Radley, is to open in the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres, underlining the next phase of the rolling programme of expansion and development for the retail destination.

Today's announcement brings the total number of new stores, which have opened across the two centres over the last year, to 15.

Famous for its luxury leather bags, accessories and gifts, this will be Radley's first stand alone store in the North and North-east of Scotland, underlining the Centres' growing position on the Scottish retail map.

Since May last year, a raft of new stores - many of them new to Aberdeen names - have been opened in the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres, consolidating its position as one of Scotland's premier retail destinations.

The new stores include Scotland's biggest Next, as well as Karen Millen, Swarovski, Hobbs, Jo Malone, Kurt Geiger, Lipsy and Phase 8, all of whom opened their first stand alone store in the North-east.

Cheryl Smith, Marketing Manger for the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres, said the retail destination had changed significantly over the last 12 months and further changes were in the pipeline.

"In addition to significant modernisation, we have attracted a wealth of high street names and flagship stores, many of them new to Aberdeen," she said.  "The strong performance from our retailers consolidates our claim to be the top retail destination in the region, however ultimately it is shoppers who benefit from an increased range and depth of fashion, and a much more vibrant atmosphere within the centres."

"The success of our new stores has highlighted that Aberdeen presents a real opportunity for retailers and we are expecting to announce yet more prestigious openings and development programmes in the coming months."

Retail expert, Andrew Turnbull of The Robert Gordon University, said the high end brands were now recognising the economic potential of Aberdeen City and Shire.

"A steady stream of new retail fascia maintains a sense of excitement in the city centre retail provision.  Success clearly breeds success," he said.

"Shoppers look for these days, and expect, innovation.  Without it, they are tempted further afield, so it is essential to keep introducing new names that are at the forefront of modern retailing."

"What we are seeing is the development of a retail 'cluster'.  High end brand names have clearly recognised the potential in an affluent market place and they are gathering in numbers to take advantage of what, to date, has been a missed opportunity."